As real estate investors, time is money and that includes meetings. Whether you’re discussing a potential deal with partners, walking through a property with a wholesaler, or talking to your lender over Zoom, one thing’s for sure: missing a key detail can cost you.
That’s where AI note-taking tools come in. These tools join your Zoom (or Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc.) calls, transcribe in real-time, summarize the conversation, and deliver searchable notes after the call is done. But which tools are the best for real estate investors?
We looked at three of the most popular AI-powered note-takers—Fireflies.ai, Otter.ai, and Fathom—and here’s how they stack up:
🔥 Fireflies.ai
Overview:
Fireflies is a powerful AI meeting assistant that works with Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and more. It automatically records and transcribes meetings, and its AI can pull out action items, questions, and topics discussed.
Key Features:
- Integrates with CRM tools (HubSpot, Salesforce)
- Allows you to search meetings by keyword
- AI-generated summaries with topics and bullet points
- Speaker identification
- Chrome extension for easy meeting launch
Ease of Use:
Very user-friendly, with a slick dashboard. The setup is fast, and you can invite the bot to meetings with one click.
Price:
- Free plan available with limited transcripts
- Pro: $10/month
- Business: $19/month (includes CRM integrations and bulk processing)
🦦 Otter.ai
Overview:
Otter is a long-time leader in transcription. Their AI assistant joins your Zoom calls, transcribes in real-time, and adds meeting slides if they’re shared.
Key Features:
- Real-time transcription and highlights
- Automatic slide capture
- Live collaboration with team members (great for partnerships!)
- Mobile and desktop support
- Works well for longer investor briefings
Ease of Use:
Otter’s clean UI makes it easy to navigate, and it auto-joins your calendar meetings if permissions are enabled.
Price:
- Basic: Free with 300 monthly transcription minutes
- Pro: $10/month (1200 minutes, advanced features)
- Business: $20/month (teams, admin tools, cloud storage)
🎓 Fathom
Overview:
Fathom is built specifically for Zoom and is ideal for professionals who want notes without lifting a finger. It records, transcribes, and creates highlights during your meeting.
Key Features:
- One-click Zoom integration
- Automatic summaries delivered via email and Notion/Google Docs
- Tag important parts of the meeting in real time
- Excellent for investors reviewing past deal discussions
Ease of Use:
Fathom might be the easiest to use—it integrates seamlessly with Zoom and does nearly everything automatically after setup.
Price:
- 100% Free for individuals
- Team version available (contact for pricing)
⚖️ What About Ethics?
Before you hit record or invite that note-taking bot into your next Zoom, ask yourself one thing: Does everyone in the meeting know?
Transparency is a non-negotiable. In many U.S. states (and countries), recording someone without consent isn’t just unethical—it’s illegal. Always disclose that a tool like Fireflies, Otter, or Fathom will be joining the call and what it will do. Most tools even provide a “recording disclosure” you can turn on.
Building trust with your partners, agents, lenders, and clients should always outweigh convenience.
đź’ˇ Final Thoughts for Investors
AI note-taking tools are like having a silent assistant who never misses a word. Whether you’re reviewing due diligence, strategizing on portfolio growth, or just trying to stay sane across 10+ calls a week—these tools can be a game changer.
If you’re just getting started and want ease + free: Fathom is your best bet.
If you’re a systems junkie who integrates everything: Fireflies is your power tool.
If you value collaboration and real-time accuracy: Otter is rock solid.
Try one on your next meeting and watch your productivity and investing go to the next level.